In biblical terminology, "straits" often refers to situations of distress, difficulty, or narrowness, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. The term is used to describe physical narrow passages as well as challenging circumstances that require divine intervention or guidance.

Old Testament References

The concept of straits is frequently encountered in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with times of trouble or distress. For instance, in the book of Job, Job describes his suffering and the narrowness of his circumstances: "He has fenced up my way, so I cannot pass, and He has set darkness upon my paths" (Job 19:8). Here, the imagery of being hemmed in or restricted reflects the idea of being in straits.

In the Psalms, the psalmists often cry out to God for deliverance from their straits. Psalm 118:5 states, "In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free" . The Hebrew word for "distress" can also be translated as "straits," indicating a situation of severe constraint or pressure.

New Testament Context

While the specific term "straits" is less frequently used in the New Testament, the concept is still present. The Apostle Paul, for example, often speaks of his trials and the narrow paths he must navigate in his ministry. In 2 Corinthians 4:8, Paul writes, "We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair" . This passage reflects the idea of being in straits, yet finding hope and deliverance through faith.

Spiritual Significance

In a spiritual sense, straits can symbolize the trials and tribulations that believers face in their walk with God. These situations often serve as tests of faith, prompting individuals to rely more fully on God's strength and guidance. The Bible consistently teaches that God is present in times of trouble, offering deliverance and comfort to those who call upon Him.

The imagery of straits also serves as a reminder of the narrow path that leads to life, as described by Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" . This passage underscores the idea that the path to righteousness and eternal life is often fraught with challenges and requires steadfast faith.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of straits encompasses both physical and metaphorical narrowness, representing times of difficulty and the need for divine intervention. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to trust in God's deliverance and to remain faithful, even when faced with the most challenging circumstances.(n.) Plural of Strait.1820. exaporeo -- to be utterly at a loss, be in despair
... In sum, 1820 () relates to someone (apparently) "left in the straits" (with no way
out) -- ie in "extreme exposure," without a good alternative ("no exit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1820.htm - 8k

4727. stenazo -- to groan (within oneself)
... From stenos; to make (intransitively, be) in straits, ie (by implication) to sigh,
murmur, pray inaudibly -- with grief, groan, grudge, sigh. see GREEK stenos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4727.htm - 7k

1459. egkataleipo -- to leave behind, ie (in a good sense) let ...
... egkataleipo Phonetic Spelling: (eng-kat-al-i'-po) Short Definition: I abandon, desert
Definition: I leave in the lurch, abandon (one who is in straits), desert ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1459.htm - 8k

3334. yatsar -- be distressed, be narrow, be straitened in straits ...
... yatsar. 3335 . be distressed, be narrow, be straitened in straits, be vexed.
Transliteration: yatsar Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-tsar') Short Definition: distressed ...
/hebrew/3334.htm - 6k

6693. tsuq -- to constrain, bring into straits, press upon
... tsuq. 6694 . to constrain, bring into straits, press upon. Transliteration: tsuq
Phonetic Spelling: (tsook) Short Definition: oppress. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6693.htm - 6k

4689. matsoq -- straits, stress
... 4688, 4689. matsoq. 4690 . straits, stress. Transliteration: matsoq
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-tsoke') Short Definition: distress. ...
/hebrew/4689.htm - 6k

6869a. tsarah -- straits, distress
... 6869, 6869a. tsarah. 6869b . straits, distress. Transliteration: tsarah
Short Definition: distress. Word Origin fem. of tsar Definition ...
/hebrew/6869a.htm - 5k

6862b. tsar -- straits, distress
... 6862a, 6862b. tsar. 6862c . straits, distress. Transliteration: tsar Short
Definition: distress. Word Origin from tsarar Definition ...
/hebrew/6862b.htm - 5k

4691. metsuqah -- straits, stress
... 4690, 4691. metsuqah or metsuqah. 4692 . straits, stress. Transliteration:
metsuqah or metsuqah Phonetic Spelling: (mets-oo-kaw') Short Definition: distresses ...
/hebrew/4691.htm - 6k

4712. metsar -- straits, distress
... 4711, 4712. metsar. 4713 . straits, distress. Transliteration: metsar
Phonetic Spelling: (may-tsar') Short Definition: distress. ...
/hebrew/4712.htm - 6k

6869. tsarah -- straits, distress
... 6868b, 6869. tsarah. 6869a . straits, distress. Transliteration: tsarah
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-raw') Short Definition: adversary. ...
/hebrew/6869.htm - 5k

God in Sore Straits.
... The Transfiguration: An Emergency Measure God in Sore Straits. The darkest hour
save only one has now come in Jesus' life. ... God was in sore straits. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/god in sore straits.htm

To what Straits Hermogenes Absurdly Reduces the Divine Being He ...
... Chapter X."To What Straits Hermogenes Absurdly Reduces the Divine Being
He Does Nothing Short of Making Him the Author of Evil. ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter x to what straits hermogenes.htm

But See, when He is Reduced to Straits in the Argument...
... Book III. Chapter 21. " 24. But see, when he is reduced to straits in
the argument? "24. But see, when he is reduced to straits ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 21 24 but.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... We find all of God's saints in straits at different times in some way or another.
Their straits are, however, often the heralds of their great triumphs. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

The Advance of Xerxes into Greece.
... BC480 Advance of the army."Sailing of the fleet."Sciathus."Euboea."Straits of
Artemisium and Euripus."Attica."Saronic Gulf."Island of Salamis ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter viii the advance of.htm

Psalm 107
... 6their soul. When straits them press,. They cry unto the Lord, and he. ... 13In trouble
then they cry'd to God,. he them from straits did save. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 107.htm

How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ...
... that David abode with them, and [assured him] that if he would come to them, they
would deliver him up, for that if the king would seize on the Straits of Ziph ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how david when.htm

Pope Anterus.
... from city to city in the manner already noted; and what is unlawful they teach as
lawful, to wit, to omit to show mercy to those who endure straits: that is to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/pope anterus.htm

To Sister Daniella of Orvieto
... Sister Daniella has found herself in straits again; constrained, it would seem,
by the Spirit, to action not endorsed by her religious superiors. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to sister daniella of orvieto 2.htm

Psalm IV.
... righteousness. "In tribulation Thou hast enlarged me." Thou hast led me
from the straits of sadness into the broad ways of joy. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm iv.htm

Straits (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Strait. Multi-Version Concordance
Straits (9 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 6:4 but in everything ...
/s/straits.htm - 9k

Strait (14 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) A (comparatively) narrow passageway connecting two large bodies of water; --
often in the plural; as, the strait, or straits, of Gibraltar; the ...
/s/strait.htm - 13k

Joram (26 Occurrences)
... by putting away the pillar of Baal (2 Kings 3:2), while secretly he worshipped Baal
(2 Kings 3:13 a). Nevertheless, when he got into straits, he expected to ...
/j/joram.htm - 27k

Jehoram (27 Occurrences)
... by putting away the pillar of Baal (2 Kings 3:2), while secretly he worshipped Baal
(2 Kings 3:13 a). Nevertheless, when he got into straits, he expected to ...
/j/jehoram.htm - 30k

Straitness (6 Occurrences)

/s/straitness.htm - 8k

Phoenicians
... and the Balearic Isles, and planted colonies on the south coast of Spain and the
northwestern coast of Africa, within and beyond the straits of Gibraltar. ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)
... and the Balearic Isles, and planted colonies on the south coast of Spain and the
northwestern coast of Africa, within and beyond the straits of Gibraltar. ...
/p/phoenicia.htm - 40k

Oreb (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Raven, a prince of Midian, who, being defeated by Gideon
and put to straits, was slain along with Zeeb (Judges 7:20-25). ...
/o/oreb.htm - 10k

Wretched (14 Occurrences)
... NIV). Job 20:22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits; every
hand of the wretched shall come upon him. (DBY). Psalms ...
/w/wretched.htm - 10k

Italy (4 Occurrences)
... employed as an appellation for all the country between the two seas (Tyrrhenian
and Adriatic) and from the foot of the Alps to the Sicilian Straits (Polyb. ...
/i/italy.htm - 10k

What is Tisha B'Av? | GotQuestions.org

What happened in the Six-Day War? | GotQuestions.org

Where was Ur of the Chaldees? | GotQuestions.org

Straits: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus